Entire DC Metro system will shut down for more than 24 hours

A Washington, DC, Metro station.Flickr/Paulo OrdovezaThe entire Washington, DC, Metro train system is shutting down for more than 24 hours at midnight on Wednesday so officials can conduct an emergency investigation, NBC4 reported.

An announcement is expected within the hour that workers will have to inspect as many as 1,200 pieces of equipment within the subway system.

The decision comes after a cable fire early on Monday morning caused delays throughout the day.

In a Tuesday-evening press conference, Metro officials said that the fire on Monday was similar to a fire that occurred in the Metro more than a year ago. The similarities prompted the emergency closing.